Crystal Seachrist

ZELIENOPLE — A woman found unconscious with a young child seated next to her in a sport utility vehicle at a traffic light was arrested for suspicion of driving on drugs and alcohol.

Zelienople police said they had to put the vehicle in park and turn off the ignition after they spotted the SUV shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, at North Main and New Castle streets.

Officers also had to awaken Crystal S. Seachrist, 29, of New Brighton, Beaver County, who was passed out with her head on the steering wheel, according to court documents.

A 6-year-old girl, who police identified as Seachrist's niece, was apparently sleeping in the front passenger seat.

The child, who was unharmed, was secured by a seat belt but was not in a booster seat, which is required under state law.

Police said Seachrist told them that she had earlier been drinking alcohol and she also admitted taking a Xanax pill, for which she did not have a prescription.

Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam and is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety.

Later, documents said, police found an unlabeled prescription bottle containing five Xanax pills in her purse.

Seachrist failed field sobriety tests and a portable breath device confirmed that she had alcohol in he system.

She subsequently underwent a drug recognition expert's evaluation and was taken to UPMC Passavant in Cranberry Township for a blood test. Toxicology results are pending.

District Judge Kevin O'Donnell arraigned Seachrist on charges of child endangerment, driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs and possession of a controlled substance.

She also was charged with four traffic violations including driving without a license and failing to secure a child in a booster seat.

A preliminary hearing for Seachrist, who is free on $5,000 bail, is set for March 27.

As a condition of the defendant's release, she must wear a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor, an alcohol-detecting ankle bracelet.